Can you put natural objects in resin?
Yes! Resin is a beautiful way to preserve natural objects while showing off their color, texture, and detail.
But before you start resining treasures from your latest nature walk, there are a few things worth knowing:
- Natural materials often contain moisture, which can prevent a proper cure.
- Others trap air that can escape into resin as bubbles.
- Many organic materials will darken slightly once coated, much like they do when wet.
Fortunately, most of these issues are easy to prevent with a little preparation. We'll walk you through how to dry and seal natural objects before resining, plus share a few helpful tips for getting the best results.
Tiered leaf tray by @dirtygirlstudio
Sculpture by @penaynayjane
Coasters by @opaque_vancouver
Popular Natural Materials for Resin Projects:
- Leaves & flowers
- Wood & Bark
- Feathers
- Shells
- Stones, rocks, and pebbles
- Pinecones & acorns
- Dried fruit & seed Pods
- Moss
- Cork
- Butterfly wings
💡 TIP: We suggest testing your materials before you resin your final piece. This way, you'll know exactly what steps to take to get the results you want.
Floral & Butterfly Board by @chrysalisaustin
Bark & Moss Pendant by Wild Blue Yonder.
Sand & bark ocean art bowl by @wilderness.n.waves
Before you Resin: 3 Things to Know:
1. Dry It First
If there's one rule for resining natural materials, it's this: make sure they're completely dry first.
Wood:
Damp wood can lead to poor adhesion, a cloudy cure, and can cause the wood to expand and contract with changing weather, potentially resulting in cracked resin.
Store wood indoors in a dry, climate-controlled environment to avoid moisture related issues. For the most reliable results, we recommend kiln-dried wood from a reputable supplier. Air-drying is an option, but it can take a very long time.
💡 TIP: If you dry your own wood, a moisture meter is a good investment. Aim for a moisture reading of 12% or less (although this can vary depending on the type of wood you use). For more information, see our blog 10 Tips When Using Epoxy Resin Over Wood.
Leaves & Flowers:
Leaves and flowers look beautiful in resin, but only when they're completely dry.
Fresh leaves and flowers contain moisture that will slowly release into the resin, causing cloudiness, bubbles and a dull finish. They'll also decay over time.
In the sample below, fresh leaves and flowers were embedded in resin without being properly dried. The moisture they've released into the resin has created bubbles, a rippled effect, and a hazy cure throughout.
Hazy resin cure from insufficiently dried flowers & leaves
Not sure how to dry leaves and flowers? Here are a few popular methods:
| Method | Time | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Silica Gel (available at craft stores) | Several days | Great for non-flat items like flowers, pinecones etc. Best for color preservation |
Most expensive |
| Flower Press or heavy book | 1-2 weeks | Excellent for flat flowers & leaves | Keeps leaves flat, but color can lose vibrancy |
| Microwave Press | Minutes | Fast results and preserves color well | Requires purchase of a microwave press |
| Air Dry | 1+ week | Easiest and most inexpensive |
Takes longest; color may fade; edges may curl |
| Dehydrator | Hours | Quick drying | Can dull color and curl edges |
Drying whole flowers in silica gel
2. Should You Seal It?
Some natural materials are porous and can absorb resin or release trapped air, leading to dark spots, bubbles or uneven results.
Not every natural object needs to be sealed, but in some cases applying a clear-drying coat of sealant can prevent these issues and make your results more predictable.
If in doubt, it never hurts to use a sealant, but we always recommend testing first first so you know exactly what results to expect.
When Sealing Helps:
✔️ the object contains trapped air (that may release as bubbles)
✔️ the surface is porous and may absorb the resin
✔️ delicate pieces may become loose and float away in the resin
✔️ you're concerned about the color darkening
Good Sealant Options
• Clear spray sealant (great for delicate items that can be damaged by a brush)
• Brush-on sealant such as Mod Podge, acrylic gel medium, or archival PVA glue.
💡 TIP: For more information, see our blog Should I Seal My Artwork Before I Resin?
3. Expect Some Changes
Even when everything is properly dried, natural materials can still look a little different once resin is applied.
Resin tends to deepen colors and enhance detail, much like objects look when they're wet. In many cases, this effect is beautiful — wood grain appears richer, colors become more vibrant, and texture stands out in a way that wasn't visible before.
That said, every material reacts differently. Factors like the type of material, its age, color, porosity, and moisture content can all affect the final result.
For example, weathered barn board loses its silvery-grey patina once resin is applied, revealing the darker wood tones underneath.
A quick way to preview how a natural object may look under resin is to place a drop of water on the surface. The change you see is often very similar to what resin will do.
If maintaining the original color is important, sealing first can help reduce color changes by creating a barrier between the resin and natural material.
FAQs
Why am I seeing dark spots in only a particular area?
Dark spots usually happen when resin soaks into a particularly thin or porous area. This is more common with knots in wood, or damaged or torn leaves or petals that allow resin to absorb. A clear sealant is a good precaution, creating a barrier that allows the resin to sit on top without absorbing into the surface below.
Why are bubbles releasing from my natural objects into the resin?
Natural materials were once living, breathing objects and often contain tiny air pockets. As resin cures and warms, that trapped air can escape into the resin as bubbles. Common culprits include wood, pinecones, bark, seed pods, dried flowers.
Sealing first helps prevent bubbles from releasing.
If you're working with molds, bubbles can also occur when resin is poured too deeply. To help reduce bubbles, warm tightly capped resin bottles in a water bath before measuring and mixing. The warmth thins the resin slightly, allowing bubbles to rise and release more easily. Pouring in thin layers rather than one thick pour can also help.
Will natural objects float in resin?
Yes, lightweight items like leaves, petals and feathers can float through the resin as it cures. To prevent this, pour a thin base layer and allow it to thicken slightly. Place your object into the tacky resin, anchoring it in place before adding the final layer.
Do natural objects need more than one coat of resin?
Sometimes. Objects with a lot of height or texture may require multiple coats - this includes pinecones, thick bark, leaves with curled edges, whole flowers etc. When using ArtResin, multiple thin coats produce better results than one very thick coat.
Will natural objects fade over time in resin?
It depends on the material. Durable materials like rock and wood hold their color very well. More fragile objects like flowers contain pigments that can become more muted over time. While leaves tend to hold their color better, they can still become darker or more olive over time. A few factors make a big difference:
• The type of flower or leaf: Some are naturally more lightfast than others.
• How well the material is dried: trapped moisture causes browning.
• Drying method: Silica gel helps retain color better.
• UV exposure: Sunlight is the biggest cause of fading. Even UV resistant resin can't stop flowers from fading if they're exposed to sunlight over time.
Will pouring resin damage delicate objects?
Resin is thick and can be heavy if a large amount is used over delicate materials such as butterfly wings. Because of this, you may wish to apply the resin in thin coats or pour the resin gently to the side rather than directly on top of a delicate area.
Floral keychains & bookmarks by @opaque_vancouver
Quick Troubleshooting
| Issue | Cause | Try |
| Dark Spots | Resin absorption | Sealing first |
| Bubbles | Trapped air releasing into the resin. Pouring too thick into molds. |
Sealing first. Warming the resin in a water bath; pouring in layers into molds. |
| Floating Materials | Loose, delicate pieces | Sealing first. Pouring a base coat and allowing it to become tacky before placing object in resin |
| Fading Colors | Natural pigments fade over time | Keeping project out of direct sunlight |
| Material Isn't Entirely Covered | Object has uneven height or texture | Building up layers with multiple thin coats |
Serving Trays by @platterduran65
Petunia Tiered Tray & Coaster Set - @dirtygirlstudio
Bring Nature into Your Resin Projects
Leaves, flowers, bark, wood, shells and other natural materials can create beautiful resin projects full of texture and character. The secret is simple: make sure they're dry, seal when necessary, and test first if you're unsure how they'll react.
A little preparation goes a long way — and can help preserve your favorite natural finds for years to come.
Video Recap:
Do you want to read more about using ArtResin? Get informed with our guides below:
- How To Use ArtResin
- How to Make Resin Wall Art with Dried Flowers
- Should I Seal My Artwork Before I Resin?
- Can I Embed Objects In Clear Resin?
- Can You Put Epoxy Resin On Polymer Clay?
- Can I Use ArtResin To Make Coasters & Hotplates?
ArtResin: Made For Artists By Artists
